there’s no place like home : texas part four

I’m sad that this is my last post from our trip because I loved it so much. Even though we barely got any sleep and stuffed ourselves with way too much food, it was such a great trip. We got to see so many friends and family and do so many fun things. Of course, we didn’t make it around to everything we wanted to do or eat everything we wanted to eat, but there’s only so much you can do in a day and a half. I’m going back in December for my sister’s graduation, and I’m so excited about it (though I wish Whitney could join me). I have been loving living in California, but there really is no place like home. And going back makes us miss it even more. If the film and television industry really moved out there, we’d be back in a heartbeat.

After a late night Sunday night, we woke up Monday and went to grab an early lunch at Home Slice on South Congress. I actually had never even been there before, and the only time I had ever had a slice of pizza from there, was when they provided it at work (and it was already cold).

We then went and browsed some shops along South Congress. We found a tablecloth for our table (yay!), an ornament, and a postcard (for my Project Life album). I love walking through the thrift and local art shops located on this street, but I am sad that the food trailer park is no more.

We drove to Elizabeth Street for some refreshments and caffeine after walking around in the heat.

Then we went stand-up paddle boarding! I have been wanting to try it for so long, and it was the perfect late afternoon for it. The sun going down over Lady Bird Lake was beautiful, the weather was not as hot, and the water felt amazing. I have to say though, it was pretty tough. We went against the wind for a big majority of it, and it was difficult to spin yourself back around if your board got turned. It was a great workout though, and none of the girls fell off (though all the boys did) ;p.

Did you think we stopped there? Afterwards we went and played at Top Golf, a brand new facility in Austin. There are three levels, and you drive the golf balls into those giant holes (each partition is worth a certain amount of points). When you’re not swinging, you can sit back and relax on the couches and order food and drinks. It’s kind of like bowling, and it was so much fun! I’m not a golfer myself, but I got some lucky swings in there and ended up getting second place during our first game!

Oh, I can’t forget to mention that Alex surprised us with homemade cake balls (red velvet)! They were delicious, and I was seriously impressed. I had to grab one for breakfast before we headed to the airport Tuesday morning.

Do it! If we moved back to Texas, the only city we’d live in is Austin…it is so different than the rest of Texas in all the best ways, but it also has all the Texas charm. Austin is a wonderful city with so much to do…you’ll love it!